Parallel dividers



(No Model.)

0. ALBERT.

PARALLEL DIVIDERS.

Patent-ed May-I11, 1886.

Will/III INVENTOR WITNESSES:

N PETERS. PhowLimo m her, 'w'nshmglon. DV 0 ilhvirn' ra'rns PAENT rites.

CHARLES ALBERT, OE CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PARALLEL DIVIDERS.

SPECIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,714, dated May 11, 188.6.

Application filed May 18,1885.

the advantages arising from their use con-- to jointly or otherwise will be apparent from the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings,:forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a View in elevation of what may be termed the back of apair of dividers embodying my invention, the dividers being shown open, the dotted lines indicating the circle described by the arms in the operation of opening and closing. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the front of a pair of dividers embodying my invention, the dividersbeing closed. Fig. Sis a section taken through the center of the guidingbar and the center pointer, showing the manner of connection of said center pointerwith said guiding bar, and also clamping mechanism for retaining the pointer-arms at any desired points. Fig. 4 is asection through the center of the clamping-sleevc,taken at the lines w of Fig. 3.

My invention consists of the main arms A A, pivoted at fixed center a, and the outer arms, 13 B, pivoted at the fixed points I) b to curved beam b and to the arms G of the pointer-shanks D at the points b I). These arms 0 and shanks D are preferably made in one piece and pivoted, as shown, in or to the main arms A A at the points a a. The points or centers a and Z) I) are fixed in relation to each other, and rigid arms or connections will extend between center a and said centers or points I) I).

Rigidly fixed at the center a is the guidingbar E, which latter is at right angles to the axis of the pivot-connection a, and on this guiding-bar E slides the clamp-sleeve F. To this clamp-sleeve F are pivotally attached the graduating-arms G, preferably by means of a screw, as shown. These arms G are pivotally connected to the arms A A, preferably by erial No. 165,854. (No model.)

screws, and serve the purpose of keeping the arms A A at all times equidistant from the center bar, E, and prevent any oscillatory movements of said arms A A. This clampsleeve F is so constructed and connected to the guiding-bar E that the movement imparted to it (said sleeve) by the opening and closing of the arms A A forces said sleeve up and down on the gnidingbar E. This sleeve F is preferably slit on one side its entire length, as shown at m, Fig. 4, and has passing through the lug d of said sleeve a lockingscrew, 0. The purpose of this slit is to allow the sleeve F to be more readily contracted onto and pinch the guiding-bar E by means of said locking-screw c. This locking-screw 6 serves an importantfunction, in that bymeans of said locking-screw the arms A A, and consequently the pointers II, can be retained at any desired points and locked there by simply turning the locking screw c,which clamps the two parts oflug d and rigidly holds the sleeve F to the guidinglmr E until released by turning the loekingscrew in the opposite direction.

The construction and operation of the cen ter pointer, I, is substantially as follows: The center pointer, I is adjustable on or in relation to the guidingbaitE, and the preferred mode of carrying such adj ustability into effect is as follows: The guiding-bar E is hollow, preferably its entire length or the greater part thereof, and in this hollow bar the center pointer, I, is operated up and down. To this center pointer, I, preferably near its point, is rigidly connected the guiding-rod K by means of the stay-connection g, which connec tion is preferably of the same configuration and height as the guiding-sleeve L. This guiding-sleeve L is rigidly attached. to the guiding-bar E, and has in its end portion an opening to allow the guiding-rod K to pass through it, thus serving to steady the guidingrod and the center pointer. In the top of sleeve L is placed a thumb-screw, E, which serves to retain the center pointer at any desired height. The operation of this center pointer is very simple, and is as follows: \Vhen desired to raise or lower the center pointer,

the operator loosens the thumbscrew Z and takes hold of the lug Z of the guiding-rod K, and this rod being rigidly connected to pointer I by means of stay 9, the said pointer is readily set at any desired point. The said pointer can then be set at said desired point by means of the thumb-screw Z.

For the purpose of convenience and utility I provide a handle, M, which is rigidly attached preferably in the top of the curved beam I) by a screw-connection.

The principle upon which my invention is constructed, and the construction by means of which it is operated, is as follows: I provide three fixed pivotal centers, substantially as shown at (L b b, which pivotal points are on an exact line, and the points I) b are equidistant from the center pivotal point, a. I also provide four additional pivotal points of connect ionsviz., a a b b-which points are changeable. The distance from pivotal point a to pivotal point I) must correspond to the distance from fixed pivotal point a to fixed pivotal point I). The relative proportions of the arms A A B B and shanks D and shank-arms C are such that when connected together at said pivotal points of connection and closed, as shown in Fig. 2, the pointers H, placed in shank D, will be parallel, and when the arms are so constructed and pivoted, and the piw otal points a and I) are the same distance apart as the fixed centers a and b, the result will be to always retain the pointers H in a parallel line at whatever point placed.

The preferable construction of the arms A A B B in regard to length and the preferable angle or inclination of the arm 0 of shank D are such that when the dividers are opened to onehalf their width the points a and I) will be on a line at right angles to the arm A. The shank D is preferably so constructed as to receive and hold imposition any of the ordinary poi nts.pens,or needle-points, and these may be held in position, as in the ordinary dividers, by means of a thumb screw, (2.

The dividers may be made of any suitable material, as steel, brass, German silver, 810., but is preferably made of brass, excepting the arms B B and pointers H H, which are preferabl y made of steel.

In operation this divider is very simple and accurate, being operated, as the ordinary divider, by simply opening and closing the arms. Vhen any two given points are taken, if desired to retain the distance of those points, the arms are held in said position by clamping the clamp-sleeve F 011 guiding-bar E by means of locking-screw e, and when desired to ascertain the center between any twopoints thus taken the center pointer is operated as heretofore described. If desired, the center pointer, I, may be dispensed with, retaining the guidingbar E.

The advantages of a pair of dividers, con

structed as hereinbefore described, will be apparent to those in need of a pair of dividers combining accuracy and durability. As constructed, the dividers are neat and present a pleasing appearance. To architects and mechanical draftsmen this divider is especially valuable. In the ordinary divider, when it is desired to draw a circular line with a bowpen, the inclination is such as to leave a ragged and irregular line,whereas in my divider, the points being at all times parallel, the pen will leave a clean regular line.

\Vhile the various features of my invention are preferably employed together,oue or more of said features may be used without the remainder, and in so far as applicable, one or more of said features may be used in connection with dividers of descriptions other than those herein specifically set forth.

What I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Parallel dividers consisting of the curved beam b arms A A, pivoted at fixed center a, and arms B B, connected at fixed pivotal connections b outside of the arms A A, the

arms B B being also connected to arms 0 of 0 shank D, at pivotal connections I) b, said shanks D and arms 0 being pivotally connected to the ends of arms A A, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. Parallel dividers, constructed substantially as described, the arms of which are connected at fixed pivotal points a b b, the points b I) being equidistant from the center pivotal point, a, and on aline therewith, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In a pair of parallel dividers, the combination, substantially as described, of arms A A, arms B B, curved beam b", the upper extremity of arms B B being connected to curved beam b by means of fixed pivotal connections I) b, shanks D, and arms 0, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. In a pair of parallel dividers, the combination of arms A A B B, curved beam 1)", shanks D, and arms 0, guiding-bar E, clampsleeve F, and graduating arms G, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a parallel divider, the center or bisecting divider, I, guiding-bar E, guiding-rod K, sleeve F, guiding-sleeve L, stay g, lug d, and lock-screw e, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In a pair of dividers, the combination of the arms A A, pivoted to center a, arms B B, pivoted to points b, arms 0, each of the latter being pivoted to its arm B and its arm A, shanks D, and arms G G, pivoted to said arms A A and the center pointer, I, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a pair of dividers, the combination of the arms A A, pivoted to center a, arms B B,

pivoted to points 6, arms 0, each of said arms being pivoted to its arm B and its arm A, shanks D, and armsG G, pivoted to said arms A A, and sleeve F, to which said arms G G IIO , -A Ml are also pivoted, set-screw e, and center pointer, I, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. In a parallel divider, the combination of handle M, curved beam b", armsA A, pivoted at fixed center a, and arms B B, connected at fixed pivotal connections I) I), the arms B B being also connected to arms 0 of shanks D at pivotal connections I) b, said shanks Dand arms 0 being pivotally connected to the ends IO of arms A A, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

CHARLES ALBERT. Attest:

JNo. W. STREHLI, O. M. HILL. 

